Meta description and Meta Keywords

[Studio33]

Hi,

We are new to SEO and have some meta Q's

Should Meta descriptions and meta keywords be different on every page?

Is it bad to have the same meta data repeated on the site?

If it has to be different does it have to be totally different per page of just slightly different?

Should the description contain keywords is there an advantage to that?

Thanks

Andrew

[Timmmmy]

Should Meta descriptions and meta keywords be different on every page?

Meta description tags should be as unique per page as possible.

Is it bad to have the same meta data repeated on the site?

Yes

If it has to be different does it have to be totally different per page of just slightly different?

Slightly different at a minimum. Common examples might be a service that is done in multiple locations and you tweak the description to highlight the different location, but the service itself is the same.

Should the description contain keywords is there an advantage to that?

Absolutely, just don't stuff words in a way that is, well, disgusting. Remember that "meta description" may be used as the summary of the page in your search result for the given page.

Don't use meta keywords tag.

1) Search engines don't really pay attention and 2) your announcing to your competitors the keywords you are trying to opitimize for.

[irvingw]

Both meta title and description should be unique and also not too short or too long or Google will replace it with whatever they feel is more relevant.

The meta title is VERY important to SEO and keywords need to be well researched and crafted.

The meta description does not effect rankings, and should be written from a marketing perspective for best CTR. That might mean having one instance of the keyword in the sentence to make it appear more relevant (that is what I usually do)  but it doesn't help with SEO.

The meta keywords can hurt you if you stuff it, but if you populate it with a couple of phrases, and don't repeat any you should be fine. I just wouldn't waste too much time on the keywords tag because Google ignores it.

[Studio33]

Thank you both for your prompt responses, both very informative and interesting.  Thanks!

[irvingw]

anytime man   hit me up anytime. good luck

[Studio33]

Hi few last quick question.

Are "Meta Keywords" and "Meta Keyword Tags" the same thing?

I am going through each page and adding

1. Meta Title Tags (Unique and 70 chars or less)
2. Meta Descriptions (Not unique same on every page)

Is this correct and all I need?  And how long should the Meta Description be, is there a limit?

Sorry I know this is basic stuff but I want to get the basics 100% correct or else we are doomed from the start!

Thanks

Andrew